Physical Systems News

Chris Wiernicki, CEO, ABS, discusses the evolution of multi-physics simulation and its importance in reaching decarbonization goals through 2050.As the pace of technological evolution rapidly quickens, shipowners are increasingly forced to embrace change to ensure their fleets stay in compliance with new regulations and stave off obsolescence.Going forward, efficient, cost-effective delivery of goods from ‘point A to point B’ must be done in a more environmentally benign manner…

Nakilat, DNV, and a group of yards and system suppliers – ABB, Honeywell, Kongsberg and Wärtsilä + Hudong-Zhonghua – have teamed on a joint development project (JDP) to elevate software reliability and maintenance during operations. The JDP, which was initiated in 2020 by Nakilat, has resulted in the launch of a new DNV Recommended Practice (DNV-RP-0582), published in June 2021.“With one of the largest LNG shipping fleets in the world, we are intimately aware of the importance of Information Technology (IT) integrity in ensuring safe…

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has granted its Integrated Software Quality Management (ISQM) notation to OOS Serooskerke one of the world’s largest semi-submersible, heavy-lift crane platforms.The ABS Integrated Software Quality Management (ISQM) notation recognizes OOS' risk-based approach to critical software control safety systems.ABS said that key operational software on the ABS-classed OOS Serooskerke, a 138m-long vessel with hotel capacity for 750 people, has undergone…

The offshore energy sector, like any industry, is constantly subject to market cycles. Challenging conditions may lower demand, resulting in a significant number of resources such as offshore support vessels (OSVs) and drillships being deactivated for potentially extended periods. Over time, however, cycles reverse and demand increases for these same assets.Operators reduced expenditures on offshore exploration and production activities, with a subsequent lower demand for these offshore assets, many of which were ultimately deactivated and laid-up (or “stacked”) for extended periods.

The near-shore and inland workboat fleet is at the leading edge for autonomous vessel developmentWhile the advent of autonomous workboats are not exactly mainstream, you better believe that in the not-too-distant future they will be a reality on waterways in and around the U.S. Today there remain more questions than answers, particularly on the legal, logistics and insurance side of the coin. But the technology is evolving at record pace, providing many in the industry with mixed emotions. Excitement. Controversy. Curiosity. Skepticism. These are just a few of thoughts, and emotions that arise to any mention of the topic of autonomous vessels.It’s happening now.

Wärtsilä has partnered with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to promote maritime innovation and R&D. The partnership covers four different streams: digital acceleration, cyber-physical security, intelligent vessel and port operations. Wärtsilä and MPA have also agreed to support and leverage start-ups and small and medium enterprises in Singapore in these four streams.“This partnership with MPA is a great example of how combining digitalization ecosystems thinking, and collaboration will benefit the maritime industry and drive tangible value at pace.

The digitalisation of ports and terminal operations offers ways to realise a “fourth industrial revolution”, bringing with it safety, operational, and environmental benefits, delegates heard at the Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA) annual general meeting, which was held in the Spanish port city of Bilbao. Digitalisation themes that were explored during presentations included artificial intelligence, data management, cyber-physical systems, and interoperability between layers of IoT platforms – all of which are emerging as ways to improve container throughput at ports and terminals. Keynote speakers Lamia Kerdjoudj-Belkaid, secretary general of ports body FEPORT, and Capt.

It is not business as usual in the world where we do business. Things are changing. Even regulations themselves are changing from less prescriptive in nature to more performance-based. As Chairman, President and CEO of a global classification and technology-centric company that operates in 70 countries with 5,000 employees, I am continually assessing the impact of these changes on the capabilities ABS needs to fulfill its mission and maintain its leadership position in the maritime, offshore and government industries it serves. To know where we are heading, we have to know where we began.

The maritime world is in the middle of a period of rapid change, with increasing digitalization, new regulations and shifting markets. Classification societies can help to remove barriers, speed up the process, and assist stakeholders make the most of the new landscape, IACS Chairman Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen said at DNV GL’s press conference at Marintec China today. “One of the major contributions of class in current times of transformation is to bring familiar assurance processes to new and unfamiliar technologies,” said Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, Chairman of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) and CEO DNV GL – Maritime. IACS was working to adapt regulations to new needs and remove regulatory barriers, he said. “An effective regulation is one that rewards early adopters.

ABS Chairman, President and CEO calls upon insurance industry and class to work closer together in addressing the next-generation safety system. Christopher J. Wiernicki, Chairman, President and CEO of ABS, addressed the American Institute of Marine Underwriters (AIMU) today, describing the future of maritime safety and risk mitigation as it relates to cyber safety as well as outlining how the classification and insurance industries can strengthen their collaboration as the progression of cyber and autonomy propel maritime safety into new waters. “Building on our safety and risk control focus, class and insurance are in a unique position to lead in several areas – specifically…

GE and CSIRO’s Data61, Australia's data innovation network, have developed a data analytics solution that will give the Royal Australian Navy greater insights into their fleet engine performance and enhance operational efficiency. GE supplies the Royal Australian Navy with its LM2500 gas turbines that power the Anzac, Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart class vessels. CSIRO’s Data61 has developed an application that will process data from GE engines captured from sensors and use advanced analytics to identify where improvements can be made.

Every five years, DNV GL publishes a Technology Outlook report providing insights into the technology landscape of the next decade. Its latest report focuses extensively on top tech trends and the future outlook for maritime, oil and gas, energy, and life sciences. The DNV GL Technology Outlook 2025 identifies four dominant catalysts driving technology innovation globally, namely digitalization, climate change, politics and regulation, and sustainable resource consumption. The digitalization of information flows will spur the automation of existing processes and functions, and have a positive impact on safety and environmental performance. Ships today are developing into sophisticated sensor hubs and data generators.

Rubber-in-compression couplings help protect gas- and diesel-driven generator sets from torsional vibration and the possible catastrophic effects of resonance occurring if this were to coincide with the natural frequency of the system, says couplings manufacturer Renold Hi-Tec. The company explains torsional vibration is an inherent feature of any internal combustion engine as pulses, or peaks in torque, occur as the pistons are driven on their power strokes when the fuel and air mixture ignites.

The NATO Center for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE), the Science and Technology Organization (STO) executive body in charge of scientific research and technology development in the maritime domain, showcased future solutions to address defense and security needs of the Alliance by using unmanned vehicles connected through the “Internet of Underwater Things.” It took place during the eighth meeting of STO Task Group IST-096 focused on maturity models, scenario definition and prototyping environments in cyber defense. National organizations convened in La Spezia to discuss information assurance and secure information sharing within dynamic coalitions.

Alaska Tanker Company was fined $25,000 by the state for allowing an estimated 462 gallons of crude oil to spill from the tanker, Prince William Sound, into Port Angeles harbor. The spill partly stained two miles of beach inside Ediz Hook. The state Department of Ecology's investigation found that the tanker's crew allowed a deck-drain system to fail because there was no check valve in place to prevent it from overflowing in Port Angeles Harbor on a journey from Valdez, Alaska, to Cherry Point. It was carrying a full load of Alaska North Slope crude oil. "The shipping company cooperated fully with the emergency spill response, but nonetheless, the spill was preventable and jeopardized a valuable marine environment," said Dale Jensen, manager of Ecology's spill prevention program.